Digital X-Ray machine lies inoperative for years

A digital X-ray machine at Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital has been lying inoperative for lone due to negligence of the hospital authorities, depriving treatment seekers from the service.

According to hospital sources, the government sent a Listem 500MA Digital X-ray machine for Jhenaidah Shishu Hospital in 2008 at a cost of TK 60 lakh.

Though the machine was very important for diagnosis and treatment of children, it was not even unpacked for six years at the hospital.

Then it was brought to Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital in 2014, said Shafiqul Islam, in-charge of the X-ray department of the hospital.

“When it was unboxed, it was found that rats entered the X-ray machine and cut the wires of the machine into pieces, leaving the fluoroscopy site damaged,” he added.

“Though the radiography site was operational at that time, now the whole machine is out of order due to lack of repair.”

“It remained inoperative for the last 8 years. The machine will be repaired next June if we get government allocation”, said Shafiqul.

When contacted, Dr. Ali Hasan Farid, head of Jhenaidah Shishu Hospital, said he can’t say anything about it as he joined the hospital in 2021. He, however, said that they have sent a list of requirements to the ministry for many equipment including x-ray machines for the hospital.